I got my SVT in March, it had a lot of issues already waiting to be fixed, but I knew if I didn't get it then some 'non focus guy' would, and he'd just drive it to it's sad end at junkyard, I took decision to take the car as it is and save it from misery.

Now, few months later I need to admit that I love this car, even tho it costs me a lot of time and money to get it restored, or maybe that's because of it :) and don't forget great handling and a pure pleasure to drive.

In my case it is a money pit, but I already see that in most cases of SVTs they become money pits due to lack of maintenance, and/or because their owners do drive em much harder than regular Focus. If you put SVT and regular ZX3 side by side, and drive them same way, they will be equally reliable.